We Energies plans to spend $25 million in 2024 to remove dead and dying trees that threaten power lines, significantly increasing its forestry budget. 

This increase, along with other infrastructure investments, is expected to lead to higher electric bills for Milwaukee ratepayers, with proposed rate hikes in 2025 and 2026 to cover these costs.

Lack of Intergrated Resource Planning

For low-income households already spending 15-20% of their income. h their energy burden well above 30%.

Exacerbating Racial Disparities

Impeding Economic Mobility

Excessive utility costs act as a regressive tax, siphoning away income.

Straining Social Services

Does Not Aling with State of Wisconsin 2050 Sustainability Goals

For Milwaukee ratepayers, the proposed rate hikes by We Energies will result in significantly higher monthly utility bills over the next two years. Residential electric customers could see their bills increase by around $18 per month by 2026, with a $10-$11 rise in 2025 followed by an additional $7-$8 hike in 2026. 

Natural gas bills are also set to climb, with potential increases of $6-$8 per month in 2025 and further rises in 2026 depending on the specific gas utility. 

For a typical residential electric customer, this would mean an increase of less than $4 per month. A typical natural gas customer would see an increase of $2 to $3 per month.